Posts for March, 2023

Returning for 2023 is our popular Bivvy Trek. We will once again be returning to Ben Macdui in what will be a unique experience on the UK’s second highest mountain.

This trek will start at 6pm (1800hrs) from the Cairngorm Mountain upper car park. This is slightly later than our usual treks with the idea we will reach the summit of Ben Macdui just before midnight, able to enjoy the late light of midsummer from the comfort of our bivvy bags. The following day we will have a relaxed morning with a cooked breakfast, with a return journey via Loch Avon and a second Munro summit of Cairn Gorm.

A bivy adventure for us is all about feeling connected to the environment you wish to be in. Tents are great and offer a lot of comfort but once you close the doors you miss that immersive experience with what’s going on outside. Bivvying also avoids many of the issues surrounding pitching a tent, for example unsuitable ground or finding a large enough area to accommodate a group. You literally find the perfect spot, lay yourself down, watch the sunset or simply open your eyes throughout the night to gaze up at the sky.

Provided on this trek is a lightweight Bivvy (348 grams), cooking equipment, an evening camp meal and hot drinks. Our guide will also provide and carry all safety gear including a large tarp for the group to sleep under if the weather is wet. All other equipment is to be provided by the client with a recommended equipment list to be given at time of booking. This is a great introduction to minimalist wild-camping with help and advice to be provided throughout from the time of booking to the trek itself.

A great trek if you’re new to multi-day trekking but want to experience the remoteness the Scottish Highlands can offer.

The Ben Avon plateau is distinguished by its sizeable granite tors. We will also experience the Sneck above the Garbh Choire and Mitre Ridge, famed for its remote rock climbing and golden eagles.

Beinn a’ Bhuird at 1197 metres will be our highest point over the two days.

Munros:
Leabaidh an Daimh Bhuide (Ben Avon)
Beinn a’ Bhuird

All wild-camping equipment and food included in the price.

A relatively leisurely two-day trek taking in the White Mounth of Lochnagar Munros and experiencing varying landscapes and environments, with a high wild-camp to hopefully enjoy sunset and sunrise from a mountain vantage.

Starting at the Spital of Glen Muick Car Park, south of Ballater, for the beginning of our trek on the Balmoral Estate along the west bank of the impressive Loch Muick to Glas Allt Shiel built by Queen Victoria after the death of Prince Albert.

From the lodge we will tackle the major, but steady, climb of the day towards Cac Carn Beag, the summit of Lochnagar. On route we will pass the Glas Allt Shiel Falls, a place often visited by Queen Victoria, and skirt above the cliffs dropping into the vast bowl of Loch Nagar.

From here on the walking is generally leisurely often on good paths, or short vegetation which is easy underfoot. This circular route takes us to the summits of Carn a’ Choire Bhoidheach and then Carn an t-Saigart Mor, the site of one of the most extensive aircraft wrecks in Scotland.

The final two Munros of Cairn Bannoch and Broad Cairn are easily summited although the later has some boulder fields to negotiate before reaching the main descent path and our return down to the head of Loch Muick.

All wild-camping equipment and food is included in the price.

Discover a wide range of cycling options at this festival that celebrates the first UCI World Cycling Championships in Scotland, and invites everyone to try many different ways of using cycling as possible.

Partnering with local bike shops, mountain bike leaders, accessibility champions, and nearby villages, the festival is based in Aviemore and showcases the location and sport to a new and diverse audience: e-bikes, cargo bikes, balance bikes, mountain bikes, road bikes… did we say, just, bikes?!

The festival is free, inviting and engaging to all, with particular focus on getting people riding for the first time.

Ride-ins from nearby villages, led by professional bike leaders, will be available to book online.

Join us at the Strathspey Railway over the Easter Weekend for an intensive timetable of Steam and Diesel operated trains. Whether it’s this sounds and smells of a steam locomotive or the rumbling roar of diesel, we’re sure to have something for everyone.

Saturday the 7th of April also sees the official launch of the “Beavertail” observation coach, returning to the highlands in 2023 and providing an unparalleled opportunity to see the very best of the scenery in the Cairngorm National Park.

Light Lunch is available on our 1pm departure and Afternoon Tea on the 3pm departure from Aviemore. Rover tickets are available to allow you to hop on and off as many trains as you wish, and trains run all day and into the evening, giving a unique opportunity to see the railway running in darkness. Mixed in with the passenger services are several “demonstration” services using some of our many freight and engineering wagons.

Join us at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre on Sunday 11th June 2023!

Registration will be open from 9:30am at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, giving you plenty of time to set up your transition zone.

Fitnessat58° Founder, Sam Cairns will lead an event brief and warm up on Loch Insh beach at 11:45am, before the race begins at 12pm.

The race will start and finish is at Loch Insh Outdoor Centre. There will be vehicles available for you to leave your belongings during the race.

Car parking will be available at the Kincraig Shinty Pitch, next to the Loch Insh Outdoor Centre, just two minute walk from the car park to registration.

Entry costs:

Individual Entry – £69.99
Team Entry – £25 per discipline, £75 total

The distances are as follows:

1. 500m swim

2. 18km cycle – 70% gravel/forest tracks and 30% road

3. 10km run – 90% gravel/forest tracks and 10% road

If you have any questions simply message us through Instagram @fitnessat58degrees or email us at samcairns@fitnessat58.com.

Easter Sunday Early Morning Service on the Shores of Loch Garten

Service of worship at Kincardine Kirk.

Discover the magic of the outdoors after dark in the Cairngorms National Park with our star-gazing experience. Loch Insh is a great dark skies area being just outside the local village.

The emphasis is on naked-eye observation, but we will also teach you how to use your smart phones (make sure they are fully charged) and you could bring binoculars if you have them.

Wrap yourself up well as we will spend a good hour outdoors weather permitting. Bring a low light torch to make walking in the woodland trails easier. Our guides will lead you to some magical local places to capture some cool night photos on your smart phone or camera. The dark trees provide a dramatic contrast to the night sky.

In Scotland, cloudy skies are a fact of life, but we do get some clear skies to and even the Northern lights. You just never know what you’re going to get.

We’ll do everything we can to create a memorable experience for you and your loved ones. You’ll leave knowing a great deal more about stargazing than the majority of people.

If you’re looking to add a sprinkle of adventure to your Easter celebrations, Cairngorms Activities’ Easter Adventure Trail ticks all the boxes!

They’ll kick off the day with some easter-themed archery games on the range where you’ll compete against one another to win a tasty chocolate egg trophy! Then after a fun-filled Easter egg hunt around their activity center, you’ll head to the BattleZone for some laser tag with an Easter twist!

You’ll want to avoid putting all your eggs in one basket though, as careful planning and team tactics will be required for you and your team to come out victorious on the battlefield.

When it comes to the mission objectives… Let’s just say the hunt for the Easter bunny is on!

See the Cairngorms Activities website for available dates and times throughout the Easter Holidays.